Huawei launches Seeds for the Future – its global flagship CSR program for ICT students for the 2nd year in Nepal

Kathmandu : Huawei launched Seeds for the Future – its global flagship CSR program for undergraduate level students from all ICT-related disciplines in Nepal amidst a press meet held in Kathmandu today. This is the second year that Huawei has launched the program in Nepal. The program was first launched in 2008 in Thailand. Since then over 12,000 students from over 130 countries and regions have participated in the program. This year, 7 students from Nepal selected from a competitive application process will get to participate in the first-ever regional onsite program going to be held in Bangkok from Aug 19 – Aug 27. At the press meet, Huawei introduced the selection committee for the program composed of Prof. Dr. Shashishar Ram Joshi, Prof. Dr. Subarna Shakya, Prof. Timila Yami Thapa and Prof. Dr. Manish Pokharel – all distinguished professors of ICT. This year, Huawei has also partnered with UNESCO in Nepal. The organization will be engaging students as part of its “Next 50” campaign.

The program will offer students the opportunity to get first-hand insights into the ICT industry in Nepal and also travel to Bangkok for 9 days. In Bangkok, students will receive entry level courses on key technologies, including 5G, cloud computing and AI; learn about cutting-edge ICT developments, develop an international perspective through visits to international organizations; hear from experts who will share perspectives on a wide range of topics; experience different cultures and make friends from the Asia Pacific region; and participate in the “Tech4Good” group project. For the Tech4Good project, the students will have to come up with an original idea to combat real-world environmental or social problems. The winning teams from the Tech4Good project will also get to join the Tech4Good accelerator camp being held in Singapore from Aug 29 – Sep 2.

In Nepal, the students will also get first-hand insight into the ICT industry via a visit to Huawei Nepal office; classes from industry experts; and an overnight trip to a Huawei-built base station at a scenic location. Upon completion of the program, students will join the alumni community where exclusive webinars, round table dialogue, celebration event etc. will be held all year round to strengthen the sense of belonging.

The program is open to undergraduate students from any ICT discipline with excellent academic background. Students can directly apply to the program at www.seedsnepal.com. The will have to upload their latest marksheet, or if they are freshmen students, a recommendation letter from their institution. A 500 to 600-word motivation letter is also essential. The selection committee will then shortlist and choose the 7 finalists after a final interview.

At the press meet, Prof. Dr. Shashidhar Ram Joshi, Dean, TU Institute of Engineering recalled the 2021 edition of the program as very exciting and praised the students selected last year as very deserving of deserving. “Huawei is helping the budding talents in the ICT field of Nepal. I’d like to thank Huawei for organizing such kind of event for our students where they will get to learn about 5G, Cloud and AI.”

Prof. Timila Yami Thapa called the program a great initiative, and Huawei a world-leader in technology. She stressed that the government and private sector alike should understand the long-term benefits of investing in talents who will be future leaders. She called Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program a modal program for talent development that will give students a great networking opportunity. “Reskilling and upskilling for existing talents can only happen by collaborating with multinationals like Huawei”, she added.

Prof. Dr. Subarna Shakya, Director, TU Innovation Center praised Huawei as a leading ICT company. “There is a great need for ICT infrastructure development in Nepal and Huawei is contributing towards that. E-government and cloud-governance is the need of the hour”, he said. He also thanked the company for the opportunity it is providing students through the Seeds for the Future program for the 2nd time in Nepal.

Mr. Michael Croft, UNESCO representative to Nepal called the program an intersection between technology, youth and learning. “Huawei and UNESCO already have a partnership at the global level to work in different regions to put together young people and technology”, he said. He highlighted the need for investing in young people since they will be the ones tackling climate change and the different issues in sustainable development, and expressed happiness to be associated with Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program.

CEO of Huawei Technologies Nepal Pvt. Ltd., William Zhang ended the program with his closing remarks. He hoped that students from Nepal will participate even more enthusiastically in this year’s program.
He said, “At Huawei, we understand that digital talents are the foundation of digital development. We are actively promoting the growth of digital talents in all 170 countries and regions that we are present in. I think we can all agree that Nepal has great potential for digital transformation. At the heart of this transformation will be talented young individuals. Through programs such as Seeds for the Future, we hope to contribute towards the cultivation of such digital talents.”